Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Want to be an author?

"Stay loose and watch snails." I saw this on a poster in a friend's bathroom and thought it funny. However, that is not my topic for to-day. As many of you know, my husband passed away on December 4, 2008. Before he died and since, I had lost my creative muse. A friend gave me "A Creative Writer's Kit by Judy Reeves," and it jolted me into wanting to write again.

For every day of the year, the Kit poses a question or a comment and I write a page starting with the comment. For instance, to-day, June 30. "Long afterward, I came upon it again ..."

Here's what I began to write. "The copy of the letter I wrote to Maurice disappeared so long ago I had forgotten about it..." I wrote a whole page and my final sentence is - "Maurice is now a famous politician, the story of our affair and the child he fathered might ruin him."

Not exactly brilliant but there's a story possibility. I'm surprised at how quickly I can spin a little tale from a short comment.

On June 28, "Write about small change." This is how I began. "Small Change is my best friend's puppy. Actually, he is three years old now but still looks like a white ball of fur..."

Goddesses, here is the comment for July 1. "The possibilities are endless ..."

If you have time and the inclination, I'll like to read how you'd begin. I'll be writing my comment tomorrow morning and will share it with you if the July 1st Goddess doesn't mind me invading her space. Or, I can wait until it's my turn as Goddess-of-the day on July 15.

However, if you'd rather watch snails and ponder the meaning of life, go for it.

Anita
www.anitabirt.com

4 comments:

Unknown said...

The book sounds inspirational, Anita. Sounding to jumpstart the muse.

Nina Pierce said...

I find short snippets like that are so much fun to play with. I think it's because it doesn't have to thread back to something else and it doesn't have to move forward. Without that pressure my muse just frolics and plays.

Glad to hear your finding your way back to your writing Anita! Hugs.

jean hart stewart said...

So glad you're writing again. I hve a friend who sends ne daily thoughts for writers, come of which really hit the mark. I'd like to buy the book you mention thougth, Can you tell me more about it, publisher, etc. Jean

anita birt said...

Thanks for your comments. "A Creative Writer's Kit," is by Judy Reeves, Author of "A Writer's Book of Days." The publisher is New World Library.

www.newworldlibrary.com

Included in the kit are various printed pages. One is titled, Kiss Your Frogs." It's about producing really crappy stuff in the first draft. Not to get upset about it. Keep writing.

"Who can say from the marshy edge of any pond which frog gets transformed and which kiss holds magic."